6.6 magnitude quake hits off PNG's Bougainville, no tsunami risk

SYDNEY (AFP) - A strong 6.6-magnitude earthquake struck off Papua New Guinea's Bougainville Island on Saturday but there was no risk of a widespread tsunami, seismologists said.

The quake, scaled back from an initial reported magnitude of 6.9, hit at 0104 GMT and was centred 59 km southwest of the town of Panguna on Bougainville at a depth of 24 km, the US Geological Survey said.

In its initial estimate the USGS said there was a low likelihood of casualties and damage.

According to the Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center there was no threat of a destructive widespread tsunami based on historical data.